Nursing garment

ABSTRACT

A garment including a rear-panel, a first front-panel and a second front-panel. The first front-panel is attached to the rear-panel via a first zipping-fastener at a first-side, and the second front-panel is attached to the rear-panel via a second zipping-fastener at a second-side. The garment is openable at the first-side and the second-side via the first zipping-fastener and the second zipping-fastener. When opened, mothers may simply open one side and secure the shirt flaps to begin breastfeeding.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/521,217 filed Jun. 16, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of garments and more specifically relates to a nursing garment for facilitating breastfeeding.

2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

For many years, women have had trouble finding clothing suitable for wear when nursing babies. What many women want is something comfortable and attractive, yet convenient when actually nursing. Breastfeeding an infant can be a difficult experience for some new mothers. Clothing garments must be lifted over the head in order for a child to have access to the breasts. Removing clothing can mess up a person's hair and wrinkle clothing due to excessive changing. Further, messes could occur and stain clothing. An effective alternative is needed.

U.S. Pub. No. 2016/0073703 to Yoko Shimada relates to nursing garments. The described nursing garments include material defining first and second openings, proximate a wearer's first and second breast. First and second zippers may be provided to selectively open and close the first and second openings, and first and second flaps may be defined to substantially cover the zipper teeth and zipper heads of the zippers. An inner lining has a periphery having a front portion extending in front of and below the user's breasts when wearing the garment, wherein a first, upper periphery portion connected, at least in part, to the material and a second, lower front periphery portion not connected to the material. The second front periphery portion and a portion of the front portion are movable from below the wearer's breasts to above the wearer's breasts to expose at least one cup of the nursing bra and/or at least one breast.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known garments art, the present disclosure provides a novel nursing garment. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a garment for facilitating breastfeeding and for preventing a nursing-user from having to remove the garment to breastfeed.

A (nursing) garment is disclosed herein. The garment includes a rear-panel. A first front-panel may be attached to the rear-panel about a first-side of the garment via a first zipping-fastener (such as those sold under the tradename ZIPPER). The first-side may include a first attachment-means, and the first front-panel may include a first attachment-end. Further, a second front-panel may be attached to the rear-panel about a second-side of the garment via a second zipping-fastener (such as those sold under the tradename ZIPPER). Similarly, the second-side may include a second attachment-means, and the second front-panel may include a second attachment-end.

A method of using the garment is also disclosed herein. The method of using the garment may comprise the steps of: providing the garment as above; wearing the garment; unzipping at least one of the first zipping-fastener and the second zipping-fastener to allow access to the at least one breast of the nursing-user; attaching at least one of the first attachment-end to the second-attachment means, and the second attachment-end to the first attachment-means such that the first front-panel and the second front-panel are in the closed-position; and nursing a baby via the at least one breast of the nursing-user.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a nursing garment, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the garment, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the garment of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A is a front-side perspective view of the garment of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B is a side perspective view of the garment of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the garment of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for the garment, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to garments and more particularly to a nursing garment as used to improve use for nursing by using the nursing garment for facilitating efficient and comfortable breastfeeding.

Generally, disclosed is a garment designed to open on the sides, thus eliminating a need to pull a clothing garment over the head in order to breastfeed an infant. As designed, the garment may function as a maternity scrub capable of transitioning into a breastfeeding scrub. Further, an elastic strap may be featured on each shoulder to secure a burping cloth in place. The garment may offer a simple and convenient garment for breastfeeding a child or pumping breast milk.

The garment may include a scrub top capable of opening at the sides, offering easy access for breastfeeding and/or pumping breast milk. The garment may be comprised of a short-sleeved shirt with at least two open sides, two flaps, two zip fasteners, and two hook fasteners. The open sides may use the zip fasteners to open/close. The hook fasteners may be located above the zip fasteners at the corner of the shirt flaps. When the shirt is opened, the shirt flaps may simply hang down. A user may close the open sides by zipping the sides and securing the shirt flaps with the hook fasteners. Mothers may simply open one side and secure the shirt flaps to begin breastfeeding.

The garment may be constructed using cotton, polyester, RAYON, SPANDEX, and other suitable materials. The top may be available in numerous sizes in order to accommodate all user needs and preferences. Exact size, measurement, construction, and design specifications may vary upon manufacturing.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-5, various views of a garment 100.

FIG. 1 shows a garment 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As Illustrated, the garment 100 may include a rear-panel 110, a first front-panel 120, and a second front-panel 130. According to one embodiment, the garment 100 may be arranged as a kit 105. The kit 105 may include set of user instructions 107. The instructions 107 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the garment 100 (such that the garment 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner).

Referring now to FIG. 2 showing side perspective views of the garment 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, first front-panel 120 may be attached to the rear-panel 110 about a first-side 122 of the garment 100 via a first zipping-fastener 124. Similarly, the second front-panel 130 may be attached to the rear-panel 110 about a second-side 132 of the garment 100 via a second zipping-fastener 134.

Materials contemplated for the rear-panel 110, the first front-panel 120 and the second front-panel 130 may be cotton material, polyester material, cellulose fiber material (such as RAYON), synthetic fiber material (such as SPANDEX), and the like. It should be appreciated that this list is not exhaustive and that other materials may be used. The material may be breathable and light, whilst also being comfortable for the nursing-user 5. The breathable and light material may be particularly useful for if a baby is placed underneath the garment 100 for breastfeeding.

FIGS. 3A-3B show front-side and front perspective views of the garment 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the garment 100 may be for wear by a nursing-user 5. The first front-panel 120 may include a first attachment-means and the first front-panel 120 may include a first attachment-end 128. Further, the second-side 132 may include a second attachment-means 136, and the second front-panel 130 may include a second attachment-end 138. In a preferred embodiment, the first attachment-means may comprise a first-ring and the second attachment-means 136 may comprise a second-ring. In addition, the first attachment-end 128 may comprise a first-hook and the second attachment-end 138 may comprise a second-hook.

As shown, the first attachment-end 128 may be configured for removable attachment to the second attachment-means 136, and the second attachment-end 138 may be configured for removable attachment to the first attachment-means. In this embodiment, as shown, the first front-panel 120 and the second front-panel 130 may be arranged as a wrap shirt such that the first front-panel 120 and the second front-panel 130 may be moveable between a closed-position 142 and an open-position 144 via the removable attachment of the first attachment-end 128 to the second attachment-means 136, and of the second attachment-end 138 to the first attachment-means. As shown, the open-position 144 may be configured to provide access to at least one breast of the nursing-user 5 during breast-feeding use.

FIG. 4 shows a front perspective view of the garment 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the preferred embodiment, the garment 100 may further comprise a first shoulder-panel 162 and a second shoulder-panel 164 opposite the first shoulder-panel 162. In addition to this, the garment 100 may comprise a first arm-panel 166 and a second arm-panel 168 opposite the first arm-panel 166. The first arm-panel 166 and the second arm-panel 168 may be short-sleeve panels, mid-sleeve panels or long sleeve-panels.

Further, the garment 100 may comprise a first cloth-fastening means 150 and a second cloth-fastening means 160. The first cloth-fastening means 150 and the second cloth-fastening means 160 may each be configured to hold at least one burping-cloth 15 so that the nursing-user 5 is quickly able to access the at least one burping-cloth 15 when needed. In the preferred embodiment, the first cloth-fastening means 150 may a first elastic-strap, and the second cloth-fastening means 160 may be a second elastic-strap. However, it should be appreciated that other fastening-means are contemplated. For example, the first cloth-fastening means 150 and the second cloth-fastening means 160 may be hook and loop fasteners, snap fasteners, buttons, etc. Further, in the preferred embodiment, the first shoulder-panel 162 may include the first cloth-fastening means 150 and the second shoulder-panel 164 may include the second cloth-fastening means 160. This placement may enable the nursing-user 5 to keep the burping-cloth 15 attached to the garment 100 and use for protection of the garment 100 when a baby is being burped over a shoulder of the nursing-user 5. In another embodiment, the first cloth-fastening means 150 and the second cloth-fastening means 160 may be located at a different location than on the shoulder panels. For example, the first cloth-fastening means 150 and the second cloth-fastening means 160 may be located on an inside of the garment 100.

Referring now to FIG. 5 showing a flow diagram illustrating a method of using a garment for wear by a nursing-user 500, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the method of using a garment for wear by a nursing-user 500 may include the steps of: step one 501, providing the garment 100 as above; step two 502, wearing the garment 100; step three 503, unzipping at least one of the first zipping-fastener 124 and the second zipping-fastener 134 to allow access to the at least one breast of the nursing-user 5; step four 504, attaching at least one of the first attachment-end 128 to the second-attachment means, and the second attachment-end 138 to the first attachment-means such that the first front-panel 120 and the second front-panel 130 are in the closed-position 142; and step five 505, nursing a baby via the at least one breast of the nursing-user 5. A further step may include: step six 506, re-zipping the at least one of the first zipping-fastener 124 and the second zipping-fastener 134.

It should be noted that step six 506 is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for garment 100 (e.g., different step orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc.), are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. A garment for wear by a nursing-user, the garment comprising: a rear-panel; a first front-panel attached to the rear-panel about a first-side of the garment via a first zipping-fastener, the first-side including a first attachment-means, and wherein the first front-panel includes a first attachment-end; and a second front-panel attached to the rear-panel about a second-side of the garment via a second zipping-fastener, the second-side including a second attachment-means, and wherein the second front-panel includes a second attachment-end; and wherein the first attachment-end is configured for removable attachment to the second attachment-means; wherein the second attachment-end is configured for removable attachment to the first attachment-means; wherein the first front-panel and the second front-panel are moveable between a closed-position and an open-position via said removable attachment of the first attachment-end to the second attachment-means, and of the second attachment-end to the first attachment-means; and wherein the open-position is configured to provide access to at least one breast of the nursing-user during breast-feeding use.
 2. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a first cloth-fastening means and a second cloth-fastening means, and wherein the first cloth-fastening means and the second cloth-fastening means are configured to hold at least one burping-cloth.
 3. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a first shoulder-panel and a second shoulder-panel opposite the first shoulder-panel.
 4. The garment of claim 3, wherein the first shoulder-panel includes the first cloth-fastening means.
 5. The garment of claim 3, wherein the second shoulder-panel includes the second cloth-fastening means.
 6. The garment of claim 2, wherein the first cloth-fastening means is a first elastic-strap.
 7. The garment of claim 2, wherein the second cloth-fastening means is a second elastic-strap.
 8. The garment of claim 1, wherein the first attachment-means comprises a first-ring.
 9. The garment of claim 1, wherein the second attachment-means comprises a second-ring.
 10. The garment of claim 1, wherein the first attachment-end comprises a first-hook.
 11. The garment of claim 1, wherein the second attachment-end comprises a second-hook.
 12. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a first arm-panel and a second arm-panel opposite the first arm-panel.
 13. The garment of claim 1, wherein the rear-panel, the first front-panel and the second front-panel are made from a cotton material.
 14. The garment of claim 1, wherein the rear-panel, the first front-panel and the second front-panel are made from a polyester material.
 15. The garment of claim 1, wherein the rear-panel, the first front-panel and the second front-panel are made from a cellulose fiber material.
 16. The garment of claim 1, wherein the rear-panel, the first front-panel and the second front-panel are made from a synthetic fiber material.
 17. A garment for wear by a nursing-user, the garment comprising: a rear-panel; a first front-panel attached to the rear-panel about a first-side of the garment via a first zipping-fastener, the first-side including a first attachment-means, and wherein the first front-panel includes a first attachment-end; and a second front-panel attached to the rear-panel about a second-side of the garment via a second zipping-fastener, the second-side including a second attachment-means, and wherein the second front-panel includes a second attachment-end; and wherein the first attachment-end is configured for removable attachment to the second attachment-means; wherein the second attachment-end is configured for removable attachment to the first attachment-means; wherein the first front-panel and the second front-panel are moveable between a closed-position and an open-position via said removable attachment of the first attachment-end to the second attachment-means, and of the second attachment-end to the first attachment-means; wherein the open-position is configured to provide access to at least one breast of the nursing-user; further comprising a first cloth-fastening means and a second cloth-fastening means, wherein the first cloth-fastening means and the second cloth-fastening means are configured to hold at least one burping-cloth; further comprising a first shoulder-panel and a second shoulder-panel opposite the first shoulder-panel; wherein the first shoulder-panel includes the first cloth-fastening means; wherein the second shoulder-panel includes the second cloth-fastening means; wherein the first cloth-fastening means is a first elastic-strap; wherein the second cloth-fastening means is a second elastic-strap; wherein the first attachment-means comprises a first-ring; wherein the second attachment-means comprises a second-ring; wherein the first attachment-end comprises a first-hook; wherein the second attachment-end comprises a second-hook; and further comprising a first arm-panel and a second arm-panel opposite the first arm-panel.
 18. The garment of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; and wherein the garment is arranged as a kit.
 19. A method of using a garment for wear by a nursing-user, the method comprising the steps of: providing the garment for wear by the nursing-user, the garment including: a rear-panel; a first front-panel attached to the rear-panel about a first-side of the garment via a first zipping-fastener, the first-side including a first attachment-means, and wherein the first front-panel includes a first attachment-end; and a second front-panel attached to the rear-panel about a second-side of the garment via a second zipping-fastener, the second-side including a second attachment-means, and wherein the second front-panel includes a second attachment-end; and wherein the first attachment-end is configured for removable attachment to the second attachment-means; wherein the second attachment-end is configured for removable attachment to the first attachment-means; wherein the first front-panel and the second front-panel are moveable between a closed-position and an open-position via said removable attachment of the first attachment-end to the second attachment-means, and of the second attachment-end to the first attachment-means; and wherein the open-position is configured to provide access to at least one breast of the nursing-user; wearing the garment; unzipping at least one of the first zipping-fastener and the second zipping-fastener to allow access to the at least one breast of the nursing-user; attaching at least one of the first attachment-end to the second-attachment means, and the second attachment-end to the first attachment-means such that the first front-panel and the second front-panel are in the closed-position; and nursing a baby via the at least one breast of the nursing-user.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of: re-zipping the at least one of the first zipping-fastener and the second zipping-fastener. 